In Memory
George Robert Lambert
February 21, 1933 ~ June 24, 2021 (age 88)
George Robert Lambert, age 88, of Ft. Myers, FL.., died on June 24, 2021.
George was born in Muncie, IN., and his parents were the late George Russell Lambert and Velma Lou (Jones) Lambert. His father was an educator (teacher, coach and principal) for 16 years with the South Bend Indiana Public School System prior to his appointment in 1950 as a general agent for the Indianapolis Life Insurance company. his mother was an elementary school teacher with the same school system for 35 years.
George graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1951, being awarded varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball at the Riley Basketball Banquet in March 1951, George was awarded the coveted Kiwanis Award for athletic and scholastic excellence and the Riley Student Newspaper Trophy for the Best Free Throw Average. He also was given a wall banner in lieu of a second basketball monogram and a leather sleeved jacket for having lettered in three sports.
He attended Depauw University in Greencastle, IN. in 1951-1952, being a member on the reserve football and basketball teams. He transferred to Indiana University, Bloomington, IN., where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the school of business in 1955. George was a distinguished Air Force ROTC graduate and he served for two years as the Treasurer of the Indiana Chapter of the Delta Upsilon National Fraternity.
George married his college sweetheart, Mary Virgina (Aling) Lambert, at Saint Athanasius Church, Evanston, IL., on June 16, 1956. He is also survived by their two sons, Robert Allen Lambert, of Ft. Myers, FL., and James William Lambert, of Cincinnati, OH., plus their daughter, Ann Holt (Lambert) Balnek, of Cape Coral, FL. Also surviving are two daughters-in-law; namely, Yolanda Isabel (Lopez) Lambert, of Ft. Myers, FL., and Joyce Rene (Brautigam) Lambert, of Cincinnati, OH. George is further survived by his brother-in-law, James Winlow Alling, and his sister-in-law, Susan (Armstrong) Alling, both of Bloomington, IN.
Further survivors include five grandchildren; namely, Bjorne Ann (Balnek) McComb, and Kristina Liv Balnek, both of Ft. Myers, FL., Brittany Marie (Lambert) Ruis, of Waukesha, WI., and Connor Jordan Lambert and Ryan James Lambert, both of Cincinnati, OH. Other survivors include two grandsons-in-law, Bryan Michael McComb, of Ft. Myers, FL., and Patrick James Ruis, of Waukesha, WI. Further survivors also include six great grandchildren, namely, Klayton Blaine Balnek, Brayden Ann McComb, Brenden Michael McComb, and Ariana Karina Liv Balnek, all four of Ft. Myers, FL., and Graysen James Ruis and Paige Marie Ruis of Waukesha, WI.
George was initially appointed Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve on June 9, 1955, and he served on active duty for over two years (September 1955-December 1957). His last position on active duty was Aircraft Maintenance Officer, 613th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Tactical Air Command, England Air Force Base, Alexandria, LA. during his reserve service over an eight year period (1955-1963), George was promoted to the ranks of First Lieutenant and captain. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force Reserve, effective on July 1, 1963.
After his release from active duty in December 1957, George was employed in early 1958 by the Washington National Insurance Company, Evanston, IL., and he attended night law school, receiving his Juris Doctor Degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, IL., in June 1962, George passed the Illinois State Bar exam and was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1962. his service with Washington National lasted almost 25 years, and the last position he held was that of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
George then served as the Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel for Life Investors Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA., and he held that position from 1982 to 1988.
George then accepted a position with provident mutual Life Insurance Company, Philadelphia, PA., and the last position he held with that company, during his service from 1988 to 1995, was that of vice president and general counsel.
During his legal career, George was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1962, the Iowa bar in 1984; the Pennsylvania Bar in 1988, and the Indiana Bar in 1999.
George was elected President of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel for the term of 1985-1986. the membership of this association consisted of life insurance lawyers in the United States and Canada. he also served as the Association’s Delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates.
He was an elected member of the Lake Bluff, IL. Elementary School Board from 1970 to 1972.
George was appointed and then elected Alderman on the Evanston, IL. City Council from 1980 to 1982. He was also elected President-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston, IL. in 1982.
As a descendant of his 4th maternal great grandfather, Jacob Jones, George joined the National Society of the Sons of the Amercian Revolution (SAR). George was elected President of the Alexis Coquillard Chapter of the SAR in South Bend, IN., serving from 1999 to 2001.
George authored a book entitled: “James Lambert (1758-1847)” which was published in 2008 by Author House, Bloomington, IN. this book recorded the Revolutionary War service of his third paternal great grandfather, James Lambert. As a result of George’s efforts, James Lambert was approved on January 19, 2010 by the SAR to be a Revolutionary War Patriot.
George and his wife, Mary, were residents of Port Saint Lucie, FL. until 2019 and members of the Saint Berndette Church. they both served in the church choir and on the stewardship council. George was also a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #13042.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 9:30-10:30 AM on Saturday, July 3rd at St. Pius x Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Rd. in Granger, IN. with a Funeral Mass immediately following at 10:30 AM.
Interment with Military Honors will be at the Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, 375 W. Cleveland Rd. Granger, IN. The Mass will be live streamed at stpius.net or facebook.com/stpiusgranger.
Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Family and friends may leave email condolences at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
06.30.2021 djb
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